Goa’s long-delayed water taxi project is set to receive a significant boost as Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL), the country’s pioneer in water-based urban mobility, steps in to lead feasibility studies and planning.
With the backing of the Inland Waterways Authority of India, KMRL will deploy its expert team to Goa next month to explore how the successful Kochi Water Metro model can be adapted to the state’s unique coastal and touristic context. Officials from KMRL confirmed that the visit forms part of a broader national mandate to assess water-based public transport feasibility in 17 cities, under a phased approach designed to promote eco-conscious mobility. The initiative aligns closely with India’s evolving green transport priorities, aimed at reducing carbon footprints, easing road congestion, and enhancing connectivity in regions with rich inland water networks.
For Goa, which relies heavily on tourism and faces mounting pressure on road infrastructure, the water taxi plan marks a strategic pivot. The state government has already identified four high-potential routes: Panaji to Divar and Old Goa, Panaji to Chorao Island, Vasco to Margao via Cortalim, and Calangute to Candolim via Baga. These corridors are known for tourism density and growing commuter demand. The KMRL team is expected to evaluate route viability, infrastructure readiness, environmental sustainability, and the most appropriate operational models. Officials said the groundwork in Goa will be completed within three months, with a broader report submitted shortly after. Key indicators under review include river navigability, existing population pressure, urban development patterns, and potential for seamless intermodal connectivity.
This exercise is part of a larger project split into three phases. Phase one includes assessments in Ayodhya, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Gandhinagar, Patna and Srinagar. Phase two will span Goa, Kollam, Mangaluru, Guwahati, Dhubri, and Kolkata, while the third will cover Mumbai, Vasai, Alappuzha, and island territories such as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep. Officials overseeing the project have floated tenders to select specialist agencies for technical studies. These agencies will be required to deliver final reports within 90 to 130 days depending on the phase. Interim reports will include traffic surveys, demand forecasts, financial viability assessments and prioritised routing recommendations. Emphasis will be laid on financial internal rate of return (FIRR) and economic internal rate of return (EIRR), ensuring public value and sustainability drive decision-making.
What sets this endeavour apart is its holistic, data-led approach. From demographic mapping to route alignment and fleet selection, the aim is to develop tailor-made models rooted in local context rather than replicating the Kochi blueprint verbatim. Stakeholder engagement, especially from communities living along riverbanks and coastal zones, will be central to implementation, ensuring the final design is equitable and inclusive. The Kochi Water Metro, currently in phased rollout, spans a 76-kilometre network and links 10 islands across the Greater Kochi region. Its blend of electric-hybrid vessels, solar-powered terminals, and smart ticketing is widely viewed as a benchmark in sustainable water mobility. If Goa successfully adopts a similar model, it could transform how residents and visitors alike move through its scenic but traffic-prone corridors.
Urban transport planners and environmental experts argue that promoting inland water transport is vital in India’s journey toward net-zero emissions. Not only does it reduce diesel reliance and greenhouse gas emissions, it also offers climate-resilient alternatives in flood-prone and densely populated areas. This partnership signals a promising shift in inter-state collaboration, where cities with proven infrastructure success are being positioned as knowledge hubs for others. As India continues its march toward green cities and clean mobility, such initiatives demonstrate the power of regional expertise in driving national sustainability goals.
Whether Goa can navigate the policy, financial and logistical currents of water transport remains to be seen. But with KMRL at the helm, the waters ahead look navigable — and potentially transformative.
Kochi Metro Expertise to Power Goa Water Taxi Push
